Rockets' Young Core Keeping Play-In Tournament Hopes Alive

Although it's a long shot, the Houston Rockets' Play-In Tournament hopes are still alive due to the improvements of their young core.

The start of the 2024 Play-In Tournament is 39 days away, and the Houston Rockets still have a slim chance to qualify for the postseason contest. With 20 games left, the Rockets are 12th in the Western Conference with a 27-35 record, trailing the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz for the final two spots.

Houston will have a chance to begin a late-season push toward the Play-In Tournament Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. It will mark the start of a three-game road trip. However, despite their road struggles, two of the Rockets' opponents are well under .500.

Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) celebrates with guard Fred VanVleet (5) after a play during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"We set our goals at the start of the season and that hasn't changed," Fred VanVleet said. "The ultimate goal is to get better every day. I know that sounds like a cliché answer, but it is true."

The Rockets have an uphill battle to make the Play-In Tournament, but the improvements Houston's young core has made in recent weeks have kept the franchise optimistic.

Jalen Green arguably had his best four-game stretch of the season, averaging 26.5 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 44.3 percent from the field. His best game came during the Rockets' nine-point win over the Phoenix Suns on March 2, where he recorded his second consecutive 34-point performance. The win helped Houston end a nine-game road losing streak.

The previous two games featured Alperen Şengün taking the helm as Houston's franchise cornerstone. He scored a career-best 45 points in Tuesday's win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. And despite a second-half collapse against the Los Angeles Clippers, Şengün recorded his second-career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists in the loss. 

Alperen Şengün Establishes Himself as Rockets' Cornerstone Amid Win vs. Wembanyama, Spurs

Houston will need to rely upon its young core to achieve their pre-season goals. When it comes to the Play-In Tournament, the Rockets may get an unfortunate but slight break from their Western Conference foes. 

The Warriors and Lakers are dealing with injuries to their respective franchise stars. Stephen Curry left Thursday's contest against the Chicago Bulls early due to an ankle injury. Twenty-four hours earlier, LeBron James left Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings due to an ongoing foot injury. The Warriors and Lakers lost both games.

Houston is seven games back from the 10th and final Play-In spot, which is held by the Lakers.

"We have a young group; all we need to focus on is getting better," VanVleet said. "We have been playing better basketball the last week or so. We got to go look at the film and try to create that same energy and effort in the first half of [Wednesday's game] against Portland coming up."